8/18 - 8/26/17 - Port-A-Gee Makes its Wake

We're getting a late start posting to our blog.  Now that we've got our sea legs firmly below us, we can take a breath and document our experience.  Our collection of Boat Cards already consumes 6 pages in our binder, and we're hoping to meet up with some of our fellow loopers along the way.

We intended to begin on Thurs, August 17, 2017, but Lake Michigan was angry that day, so we enjoyed the pool at our home port of Reef Point Marina in Racine, WI for one more day.

Fri, 8/18/17: Racine, WI to Chicago, IL (68.5 miles)
The lake was a little choppy, but Port-A-Gee could handle the 1 - 2 ft. seas with relative comfort.  We were escorted into Chicago by the US Navy's Blue Angels.  They were practicing for the Air and Water show that weekend.  I could almost touch of bottom of the jets as they buzzed us on the lake - so cool!! 

  • Our first night on the Loop was at 31st St, Marina in Chicago.  It's a beautiful marina, and we wouldn't have minded staying a few more days.
    • Bonus - Met up with future Platinum Loopers, Alex & Andre aboard Allison Leigh (Nordic Tug 37) for docktails.  Loved the fellowship of loopers discussing the adventure that lies ahead.

Sat, 8/19/17: Chicago, IL to Wilmington, IL (61.2 miles)
Our first lock on the Chicago River should have been uneventful, but alas, a Chicago Police marine unit came screaming into the lock to get to an emergency call on the other side.  Mind you, they still had to wait for the lock to close and drop.  There was no need for them to create the wake that crashed us into the wall.  They repeated the ignorance upon exiting - coming from the back of the lock at full throttle, again crashing us into the wall.  I hope the emergency was able to wait while they went through the lock.

The rest of the day was relaxing as we made our way through the Chicago River and Sanitary canal.  Locked through Lockport and Joliet without incident.  After 10 hours on the water, we arrived at Dresden lock and decided to stay the night at Harborside Marina, Wilmington, IL, home to one of our favorite restaurants, Big Fish - that may have influenced our decision to stay!

Sun, 8/20/17: Wilmington, IL to Seneca, IL (22.3 miles)
Short day, starting at Dresden Lock to Springbrook Marina, Seneca, Illinois.  Enjoyed the day boating with family, and then headed back to work for a week.

Sun, 8/26/17: Seneca, IL to Ottawa, IL (10.7 miles)
With our friends Charlie & Bev Prodehl in tow, we left Springbrook Marina for the short trip to Ottawa.  First, we had to get through the obstacle of Marseilles Lock - a 3-hour wait (Cue Gilligan's Island theme music).  Finally arriving at the beautiful Heritage Harbor Marina, we headed into town and enjoyed a nice dinner at Tangle Root, Ottawa, IL.
  • Back home again until 9/1, when we begin 2 weeks on the water.

31st Street Harbor, Chicago

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